SEOUL — President Lee Jae-myung called for a fundamental transformation of the nation’s economic landscape on Tuesday, urging a shift toward "Growth for All" to ensure sustainable national development. During a meeting titled "Dialogue with Entrepreneurs Practicing Win-Win Cooperation" held at the Blue House, the President emphasized that shared prosperity is no longer an option but a prerequisite in the era of high-value industries.
Addressing executives from major conglomerates—including Samsung Electronics, SK, Hyundai Motor, and Hanwha Ocean—as well as representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), President Lee stressed the need to overcome the "K-shaped recovery" where economic gains are concentrated in limited sectors.
"To maintain sustainable growth, we must overhaul our economic constitution and the general industrial climate," President Lee stated. "The most critical element in this transition is the creation of a win-win ecosystem where the fruits of innovation are distributed equitably across the entire supply chain."
The President specifically lauded Hanwha Ocean for its progressive labor relations and social responsibility. He highlighted the company’s recent resolution of provisional seizure issues against laborers and its landmark decision to allocate approximately 89 billion KRW annually to provide subcontracted workers with the same performance-based bonuses as their primary employees.
"I read about Hanwha Ocean's efforts in the news and felt a deep sense of gratitude," Lee remarked, in a rare move of publicly praising a specific private corporation. "Sharing opportunities and fruits is the core engine that will build a world where we all live together. The old strategy of concentrating resources in hopes of a trickle-down effect is no longer suited for a modern economy driven by high-tech and creative ideas."
The administration signaled its intent to use Hanwha Ocean’s model as a national benchmark. President Lee vowed that the government would provide robust support to expand this culture of cooperation across various sectors, including platform services, the defense industry, and finance.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Koo Yun-cheol and Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook, signaling a coordinated cabinet-level push to institutionalize shared growth policies.
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